Located near the center of the long Vanuatuan archipelago, Ambrym is roughly triangular in shape, about 50 km (31 mi) wide.[4] With 677.7 square kilometres (261.7 sq mi) of surface area, it is the fifth largest island in the country.

The summit at the center of the island is dominated by a desert-like caldera, which covers an area of 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi).[1]

With the exception of human settlements, the rest of the island is covered by thick jungle.[4]

While at higher elevations cinder cones predominate, the western tip of the island is characterized by a series of basaltictuff rings, of which the largest is about 1 kilometre (0.62 mi) in diameter. These were produced by phreatic eruptions when magma contacted the water table and water-saturated sediments along the coast.[6]

Tourists are attracted by Ambrym's unique features: the active volcanoes, the tropical vegetation, and the customs of the local villagers. They stay in traditional bungalows, as there are no hotels on the island.[3]